Shireen Malamoo – Honorary Patron
Shireen’s remarkable forty-year career has made her a pivotal figure in the ASSI.PJ political perspectives as a founding board member. Her extensive expertise includes roles as a board member for Justice Health, the AHMRC Ethics Committee, and the Roberta Sykes Indigenous Education Foundation.
Shireen’s early work with the Department of Social Security in Townsville and her involvement with the Secretariat of National Aboriginal and Islander Child Care, including the Finance Committee, laid the groundwork for her impactful career. As a Commissioner of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission (ATSIC) from 1991 to 1993 and a member of the NSW Parole Board for nine years, she has contributed significantly to the Aboriginal community through various non-government services.
From 2009 to 2012, Shireen was on the First Nations advisory panel to the City of Sydney, where she advocated for the inclusion of the term ‘Invasion’ in the city’s preamble.
An accomplished jazz artist, she has performed with notable musicians and has been recognized with awards such as the 2019 Blackmores Mercie Whellan Women’s + Wellbeing Lifetime Achievement Award and the 2016 NSW Council for Pacific Communities Outstanding Education Award.
Shireen’s portrait is displayed in prestigious institutions, and she has received three Archibald Prize nominations for her work as an Aboriginal/Kanak (Tongoa ni Vanuatu) artist, reflecting her deep engagement with global Black affairs.
Today Aunty Shireen is retired on her traditional lands of the Juru clan the Burdekin FNQ.
(Waskam) Emelda Davis – Chairwoman.
(Waskam) Emelda Davis made history as the first Black woman elected to the City of Sydney Council in its 180 years (2021-2024). As a second- generation born Australian South Sea Islander Emelda is also of First Nations, ni-Vanuatu and Caribbean heritage. A founder of Australian South Sea Islanders (Port Jackson) (ASSIPJ) her leadership champions social justice, cross cultural awareness access and equity for all communities.
A mobiliser and passionate community builder Emelda has over two decades of experience advising government agencies on indigenous, multicultural and Pacific knowledge sectors, cultural frameworks and capabilities. During her time on council Emelda served as Deputy Chair of the Resilient Communities and Economy Committee, represented the Lord Mayor across advisory panels, community groups and business sector and online speaking engagements. Emelda successfully pushed for new policies supporting NSWLG ‘Outreach services’ for seasonal workers, recognition and support for Mabo Day, Africa Day and Australian South Sea Islander Day. Her broader community advocacy supported marginalised communities with food security, rehousing of women, families and LGBTQIA+ along with elder network and local community group consultation.
In 2020 Emelda is the first ASSI to complete an oral history thesis titled “Children of the Sugar Slaves; Black and Resilient” on the Northern Rivers, wider NSW and QLD Blackbirded communities lived experiences. Her advocacy has led to engagements with local, state and international bodies, including the United Nations. A champion for Social Housing and Climate Justice Emelda led ASSIPJ emergency response to Vanuatu, Fiji, Tong and Papua New Guinea raising funds and disaster resources through local community and the city council.
In 2022 Emelda played a key role on the ASSIPJ PIFs peer review of the Pacific Australian Labour Mobility Scheme (PALMS) to create better understanding from a cultural context for sending and receiving countries. Under Emelda’s leadership Ben Boyd National Park name change to ‘Beowa National Park’ was achieved in 2023 after a decade of advocacy.
Pacific Regional Gathering for Local Communities & Indigenous Peoples Platform (LCIPP) Port Augusta attendee. July 2024 on invitation from Torres Health – Zenadh Kes Emelda made a historical and inspiring keynote on Blackbirded families of the Pacific and Womens leadership for the NAIDOC week ‘Keep the fire burning Blak loud and proud’
Accolades:
2024: NSW Parliament Legislative Assembly Community Recognition Statement contribution as City of Sydney Councillor, ‘Social Impact & Community’ Award Asia Pacific – Pride of Africa Network, ‘She Inspires Me’ Patron, ‘Ambassador Circle’ delegate for the International Coalition of Sites of Conscience.
2022: ‘Caring for Country’ Committee Award – International Council on Monuments & Sites (ICOMOS).
2021: UNSW Pathway to Politics Alumni, Women for Election – Australia Ambassador.
2020: CALD Panel for Women’s Business received, NSW Parliament Recognition Statement by the Member for Sydney, NSW Premiers Multicultural Community Medal -Settlement Services International Human Rights.
2017: Rotary Inspirational Woman, ‘Inspirational Wall Medal’ Ultimo Public School Sydney.
2016: NSW Women of the Year (Sydney Local).
2015: NSW Council for Pacific Communities ‘Stronger Communities Award’.
Danny Togo – Vice Chair
Danny Togo is 3rd generation Australian South Sea Islander, European and First Nations descent. Serving as a director since 2011 he has contributed enthusiastically across all dignitary and community conferences.
A master of ceremonies Danny has headed up key milestone achievements such as the Lord Mayor of Sydney reception for the 30th Anniversary in 2024 the 25th Anniversary in 2019 flag raising at National Australian Maritime Museum and 2019-2022 SugarFest; Oceanic Culture History & Music series.
Working closely with his local community to integrate ASSI history into the Inner West Council and Christian Brothers Lewisham School’s social justice education program now the ASSI flag is permanently displayed alongside our First Nations flags on ASSI Recognition Day (August 25) and is also flown at Petersham Town Hall.
More recently Danny is the founder of Southsea Espresso Coffee Van’s franchise which is committed to importing Tanna Island coffee from Vanuatu and as he serves he will educate customers on a shared Australian history of his people.
Accolades:
2020: Multicultural Queensland Governance/
2019: Australian National Maritime Museum, guest speaker
2018:NAIDOC Day at Christian Brothers Lewisham, Keynote at inaugural ASSI flag raising, Petersham Town Hall.
2015 National ASSI Association Constitution adoption at Tweed Heads.
2014: Guest speaker, Findem Baek Famili – Solomon Islands.
2012-2015: Speaker/assistant facilitator, Wantok national conferences.
2019-2025: National Australia Day master of ceremonies.
Shola Diop – Treasurer
Shola is a third-generation born Australian South Sea Islander (ASSI) who is also of First Nations, ni-Vanuatu, Caribbean, and West African heritage. As the first ASSI to attend the University of Oxford he earned a BA, DipFS, and MBA, graduating in 2020. Shola’s young career has been dedicated to operating in asset management, institutional investment, and social finance.
As an investment management professional with extensive experience in institutional finance and not-for-profit management, Shola has worked with top-tier institutions such as Morgan Stanley, Ernst & Young, Wilsons, and PIMCO, focusing on areas of accounting and social finance.
Managerial roles are in impact investment, infrastructure finance, blended finance and sustainable development with Alinea, DAI and Eaton Capital, a dedicated board member he raised AUD 2.7 million in grants and special needs goods as climate response to Pacific natural disasters.
Shola led the ASSIPJ research for the Pacific Island Forum Secretariat (PIFS) – 2022 Independent Peer Review for the Pacific Australian Labour Mobility Scheme (PALMS) this included DFAT and 17 sending countries to Australia and New Zealand. In 2023 he was elected to the Indigenous Peoples Organisation Australia (IPO) board and was a delegate for the United Nations Local Communities & Indigenous Peoples Platform (LCIPP).
Participated in the 2023 Impact Investment Summit as a senior financial analyst keynote. Attended with the LCIPP delegation to present at COP28 Dubai in 2023 and contributed financial and PIFS PALMS scheme review data as part of the NSW Anti-Slavery Commission inaugural conference.
As an author, Shola contributed to a chapter on Australia’s Blackbirding history for Dr Anne Poelina best best-seller publication ‘Declaration of Peace for Indigenous Australians and Nature.’ In a landmark event in July 2024, Shola led the ASSIPJ business and cultural exchange consult in partnership with Torres Health for the NAIDOC week ‘Keep the fire burning Blak loud and proud’. In 2025, Shola founded the impact investment company, Olgeta Capital Pty Ltd.
Accolades:
2024: ‘Excellence in Business’ SIMBA Award – Sydney Community Group (SCG), ‘Corporate Achievement’ Award for Asia Pacific Pride of Africa Network.
2020: Winner and global finalist of the MBA Map the System competition at the Skoll Centre for Social Entrepreneurship, placing in the top five out of 3,500 entrants across 1,100 global academic institutions; Finalist in the MBA Impact Investing Network & Training (MIINT) Program at Bridges Impact Foundation, focusing on social and environmental enterprises; Selected for the Leading for Impact cohort at the Skoll Centre for Social Entrepreneurship, recognizing impactful future change leaders.
2017: Inspirational Wall Medal, Ultimo Public School, Sydney NSW.
2013: The Vernon Wade Terry Award – Winthrop University Div:1 USA.
2013: Vernon Wade Terry Award, Winthrop University, Division 1, USA, Lifetime Member of Beta Gamma Sigma Business Honour Society, Dean’s Honour List, Winthrop University, Division 1, USA.
2001: Jacksons Landing Scholarship.
Binette Diop – Co Vice Chair
Binette Diop is 4th generation born Australian South Sea Islander (ASSI) who is also of First Nations, ni-Vanuatu, Caribbean, and of Senegalese heritage. A former executive at a global hotel chain playing a vital role in the COVID-19 response team.
Binette’s experience in the private sector includes Manager of a small Beautician business and building on these expertise Binette is pursuing a Western degree in Health Science to further explore cultural remedies through organic wellness. As a founding member of ASSIPJ Binette is the youngest board member who has contributed significantly across roles in office administration, bookkeeping, event coordination, and social media networking.
Binette is a strong advocate for self-determination and continues to support ASSIPJ volunteers in cross cultural training, cultural awareness and event management.
Accolades:
2025: National Australia Day location manager.
2024: SIMBA Award category ‘Women in Community’.
2020: Accor Hotels COVID-19 response management team recognition, We Are All Sydney – Womens Leadership course.
2019: Inaugural SugarFest location coordinator, ASSI 25th Anniversary flag raising key speaker.
2016: We Are All Sydney – Leadership course.
2015: ‘Employee and Team Player of the Year’ – Sofitel Darling Harbour Accor Hotels; 2014 Most Valuable Player (Quarter 2) – Accor Hotels.
2014: ‘Blue Mountains Hotel Management School Indigenous Scholarship finalist’ – Accor Hotels.
2013: Wantok national conference assistant administration.
Melina Fakatava – Board Secretary
Melina Fakatava (nee Togo) is 3rd generation born Australian South Sea Islander who is also of ni-Vanuatu and Greek heritage.
Well experienced in project management and office administration, Melina’s career also covers assistant producer for National Indigenous Television (NITV) and Onyx Management Group programming for First Nations and Australian South Sea Islander communities. Melina also assists with outreach services for Pacific Australia Labour Mobility – Seasonal Workers supporting their pastoral care and social justice needs.
Her community-building efforts have contributed greatly to the ASSIPJ Wantok national conferences, events and community cohesion workshop capacity building collaborations across local communities and government agencies.
Melina’s mum Carriette Pangas (nee Togo) was a founding member of ASSIPJ and painted the original image that formed the basis for the organisation’s logo.
Accolades:
2025 National Australia Day stall management committee.
2024 Australian National Maritime Museum Food & Beverage coordinator.
2023 delegate Vanuatu Prime Minister Independence Day celebrations.
2019 Inaugural SugarFest stalls coordinating committee, Australian National Maritime Museum dignitary coordinator, Inaugural Indentured Labour Conference team leader – Levuka University Fiji.
2016 B.L.A.C.K workshop Tweed Heads assistant administrator.
2014 Vanuatu Government delegate for 150th Anniversary of Blackbirding.
2013 Wantok national conference community coordinator.